Lao New Year

Laotian community celebrates Year of the Snake

Even though it's April, the year's only just begun for the Laotian community.

People of the Laotian culture in the Amarillo-area celebrated the fresh start - to the year 2544 - in traditional and not-so-traditional style on April 15 at the Wat Lao Buddharam in north Amarillo.

Traditional activities for welcoming the Year of the Snake included rituals symbolizing prosperity and good health, such as the splashing of water to cleanse the soul of impurities and the sprinkling of holy water, scented with perfume and flowers, upon relatives, friends and acquaintances gathered on the temple grounds.

The not-so-traditional activities, which actually have become a staple of the annual celebration, included live music, games and other entertainment.

Participants also selected the Lao Queen for the Year, Francis Thongthep.